Clearing Agents Licence Archives

Customs Licensing Deadline – 31 March 2023

Posted by Graeme Lennieon March 2, 2023June 20, 2025in Licensing and RegistrationsLeave a comment

Did you know that the Customs licensing “renewal” deadline is 31 March 2023?

All Customs clients must re-register or migrate to Customs e-Filing, on time.

This is not merely an update of information. This is a complete re-registration of each license type to e-Filing.

How to License before the Customs Licensing Deadline – 31 March 2023

We assist all Importers, Exporter, Customs Clearing Agents, and Transporters in South Africa with Customs licensing.

Our qualified Customs Tax Practitioner knows how to overcome Customs Licensing and e-Filing challenges.

In a recent notice to trade, SARS indicated that Customs licenses not renewed on time will be canceled (end 2024).

Do you need our assistance?

Or do you have a client who may need our assistance?

Because of our vast experience and qualifications in this field, we have the means to facilitate this frustrating process.

You are welcome e-mail us, or set-up a Teams call to discuss your license requirements with us.

License Types

We provide the following Customs Licensing and Registrations, and more:

Importer Exporter Code
Bond Store Registration
Rebate Manufacturing Store
Clearing Agents License
Deferment Accounts
Dual EDI Registration
Remover of Goods in Bond
Road Consignor Bond
Drawback Registrations
Name Changes & Updates, Bond Changes
Foreign Registered Entities
Trade Agreement Registrations
Excise Rebate Manufacturing Stores
Migration to e-Filing and Re-Registrations
e-Filing Relationship Management, and
RCG (Reporting and Conveyance of Goods).

Contact Us

Please Contact us for advice or a quotation.

We can help you with:

Application Process and e-Filing Procedures
Supporting Documents and Templates
Overcoming any e-Filing challenges
Excise Rebate and Manufacturing Applications.

Excise applications may include wine and fermented beverages, spirits, perfumes and similar products.

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Customs Licensing – Deferment Accounts

Posted by Graeme Lennieon April 26, 2022June 20, 2025in Licensing and RegistrationsLeave a comment

Here we discuss Customs Licensing – Deferment Accounts and the advantages of having a Deferment Account.

Did you know… a Customs Deferment Account allows one to defer Customs duties and VAT till month-end?

A Deferment Facility is a government dispensation designed to alleviate your administrative duties. It helps companies to avoid the hassle of having to pay duties and VAT on each and every Customs declaration. It also reduces the paperwork significantly.

Therefore, you can simplify the administration involved in the day to day running of logistics operations.

More About Deferment Accounts

A Deferment Facility is not a credit facility as such. However, it may have the effect of providing a short a term credit line; particularly for large shipments.

SARS will issue a monthly statement at the end of each month. Clients have 7 x days to settle the deferment account after the closing date.

Deferment Accounts are available to both Customs Clearing Agents and Importers & Exporters of goods.

A recent trend for larger Importers & Exporters is to obtain their own Deferment Facility. The objective, particularly by larger companies, is to self-manage one’s risk exposure to SARS Customs.

How Customs AEO Accreditation Affects Deferment Accounts

Clients who have Customs AEO Accreditation are able to benefit significantly. They are able to reduce or waive their bond / guarantee amounts on the Deferment Accounts.

So, for example, clients with:

Level 1 (Compliance) Accreditation, may reduce their bonds by up to 80%.
Level 2 (Compliance and Security) may reduce their bonds by up to 100%.

Please visit our blog for SARS Customs AEO Accreditation for more information, and other benefits contained therein.

Please Contact Us

Contact us for advice or a quotation for Customs Licensing – Deferment Accounts.

We will help you with:

Documentation Requirements and Application Procedures
Calculation of Deferment Amounts
Lodging of Bonds / Guarantees
Monthly Management of Accounts

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Customs Licensing – Clearing Agents

Posted by Graeme Lennieon January 20, 2022June 20, 2025in Licensing and RegistrationsLeave a comment

Did you know… A Customs Clearing Agents license allows one to process Customs clearance declarations on behalf of clients?

One does not need a Deferment Facility. Therefore an alternative is to pay SARS in Cash or via EFT when processing entries.

General Requirements

The payment procedure for Cash or EFT is fairly simple. It involves obtaining a PRN (Payment Reference Number) to pay the duties and VAT to Customs.

While having a registered company at the CIPC is a requirement, you do not need to be registered for VAT. However, you do need to be registered for income tax purposes.

Naturally you will need the services of an IT Software Provider. They will help you to process Customs clearance declarations which become linked to the SARS entry system.

Holding a Clearing Agents license is not as complex as you might imagine.

Many Importers and Exporters are also registered Clearing Agents. They Customs clear their own goods.

Customs Clearing Agents vs Forwarding License

Customs Clearing Agents are required to license with SARS.

Freight Forwarders do not need to license with SARS. Although, those who cut House Bills of Lading must be registered with SARS for RCG (Reporting and Conveyance of Goods).

Another consideration for very small Agents is that SARS still accepts manual entries, as opposed to EDI submissions. Therefore one does not need to be registered with an IT Service Provider.

Contact Us

Please Contact us for advice or a quotation.

We can help you with:

Application Process and e-Filing Procedures
Supporting Documents and Templates
Overcoming any e-Filing challenges

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